Fence-post.



L. w. SHOEC RAF'T. FENCE P051} APPIICATION FILED NOV- I. I9I6- Patented J une 4, 1918.

AT'rdnNEY LEON W. SHOECRAF'I, OF RAYMOND, SOUTH DAKOTA.

FENCE-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4t, 1918..

Application filed November 1, 1916. Serial No. 128,981.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON W. SHoEoRAFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Raymond, in the county of Clark and State of South Dakota, haveinventcd certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fence posts and the invention has more especial reference to a novel sectional fence'post.

The principal object of the invention may be stated to reside in the provision of a fence post which will facilitate the driving thereof into earth and to prevent the distorting or mush-rooming of the upper end of the postydue to the force' of the blo z s delivered to the same during the driving operation.

As an object of equal importance, the invention aims to provide a fence post composed of a plurality of sections, one adapted to be embedded within the earth and the remaining, to be received by the embedded section and to be free of the earth, thereby, preventing the rapid deterioration of the same,

' due to the elements.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a sectional fence post, in which, the several parts thereof may be readily replaced when worn or broken; the provision of novel fence wire or fabric engaging and supporting members, the said members being removably received by a certain section of the fence post.

All of the foregoing together with :addi; tional advantageous details and arrangements of parts of the preferred embodiment of my invention will be clear from the specific description hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a art thereof, wherein said embodiment of t e invention is illustrated for the purpose'of facilitating a'full understanding of the present improvements.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved fence post,

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking toward the same from a different angle, parts thereof being shown in section, and

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation partly in section showing the earth engaging section of the post and the means as carried'thereby to facilitate the driving operation.

Referring now more specifically to .the drawings, and in connection with which like reference numerals refer to the same parts in the several views, the construction includes a plurality of fence post sections, 1 and 2, the former of which is provided with a tapered or sharpened lower portion 3, whereby the same may be more readily driven into the earth. The upper extremity out its length, a series of diametrically disposed openings, generally indicated by the reference character 6. The lower portion of the section 2 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 7, in which there is arranged, a pair of spring arms 8, the said arms having formed in their lower ends, offset portions 9 which afford efficient catch members. To secure the sprlng arms 8 to the lower extremity of the section 1, a plurality of rivets 1.0 are passed therethrough and have their opposite ends swaged, thus, securely connecting the said arms with the section.

To provide for means whereby fence wires or fabricmay be supported by the sectional fence post, a plurality of cotter pins 11 are inserted Within the series of openings 6 as formed in the section 2 and have the ends thereof bent outwardly, as at 12, to prevent displacement thereof. In attaching fence wires to the pins 11, the same are passed through the looped ends of the cotter pins and obviously will be supported in proper position thereby. Should a fence fabric be employed, strands of wire or other suitable ties may be passed through the mesh thereof and then secured to the looped ends of the pins 11 and thereby, securely held in position.

In driving the post into the earth, the section 2 is removed from the earth engaging lwli received by the cap 13 and consequently, ab sorbed thereby. When the section 1 has been driven into the earth, the section 2 is then inserted within the pocket 4 formed in the upper end thereof, the offset portions or catches 9 engaging. the openings 5 and thereby, securely connecting the two sections and rendering the construction rigid. Should for any reason, it be desired to remove the upper section 2, a suitable implement may be inserted within the earth, should the section 1 be entirely embedded, and engaged with the catches 9, whereupon, the said catches may be readily disengaged from the openings 5 and the section 2 readily removed. It will also be evident, that deterioration due to rotting of the section 2 will be lessened.

The earth engaging section 1 is preferably formed of any suitable metal, whilethe upper section 2 is formed of wood. However, in this connection, it is to be understood that the upper section 2 may be equally well formed of metal or if desired, the same may be formed of piping, the upper end of which could be closed by means of a screw threaded cap member.

As hereinbefore indicated, I do not wish to be understood as confining the invention to the particular embodiment chosen for illustration herein, nor to the exact construction and arrangement and adaption of parts shown and described, but I reserve the right to make any changes and alterations that fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: v, a

In a fence post, the combination of a base section having a sharpened lower portion, said base section having an internal pocket communicating with the upper end thereof, said base section having openings formed thercthrough and communicating with said pockets, a body section being of substantially the same shape as said pocket, thus allowing said body section to be proected into said pocket and be held against side movement, said body section having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formedtherein and communicating with its lower end, fiat springs fitting within said grooves and projecting below the lower end of said body portion, means for holding said springs against accidental displacement from said grooves, engaging portions formed upon said springs ad acent their lower ends, said engaging portions being adapted to fit within the openings of said base section, thus causing the body section to beheld against accidental movement in either direction, and the fitting of the lower end of said body section within the pocket of said base section holding said springs within said grooves and rel1eving the supporting strain from the securing means of the springs and imparting the same directly from the body section to said base section.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEON W. SHOEGRAF'I. 

